glint

1 of 2

verb

ˈglint How to pronounce glint (audio)
glinted; glinting; glints
Synonyms of glint

intransitive verb

1
a
archaic : to glance off an object
b
of rays of light : to be reflected at an angle from a surface
2
: to give off reflection in brilliant flashes
also : gleam
3
: to look quickly or briefly : glance
4
: to appear briefly or faintly

transitive verb

: to cause to glint

glint

2 of 2

noun

1
: a tiny bright flash of light
2
: a brief or faint manifestation : glimmer
a glint of recognition
also : a trace of emotion expressed through the eyes
a steely glint in his eye

Synonyms of glint

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for glint

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light.

flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Examples of glint in a Sentence

Verb The sun glinted off the tops of the waves. The waves glinted in the sunlight. Noun He saw glints of sunlight on the river's surface.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Water rushes past, glinting silver in the light of the sun, just risen above the mountains that ring the bay. — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026 The glinting metal of the Devil’s watch chain flashed in her mind, his hair and his teeth. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS NIGHTMARE TRIP — Teen bitten by barracuda in popular vacation spot after bracelet glints in water. — FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 Played with tricksy force and a glint of anger in her eyes by Samantha Morton, Circe is at the center of the greatest scene in The Odyssey, one that foregrounds the grandeur and uncanny qualities of myth. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for glint

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to dart obliquely, glint, alteration of glenten, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect glänta to clear up; akin to Old High German glanz bright, Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glint was in the 14th century

Rhymes for glint

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Browse Nearby Words

Glinka
glint
glint o' gold
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glint. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

glint

verb
ˈglint
: to shine by reflection:
a
: to shine with small bright flashes
b
: to shine briefly
glint noun

More from Merriam-Webster on glint

Nglish: Translation of glint for Spanish Speakers

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